Mancini delighted Tevez is a Blue

Roberto Mancini does not care who Carlos Tevez used to play for - he is just delighted to have the striker at Manchester City.

A Carling Cup winner last season, the first leg of this season's semi-final with Manchester United could not have gone any better for Tevez. Two goals - and two gleeful celebrations - have taken City to the brink of their first major final in 29 years and increased his tally to 17 - only months after Sir Alex Ferguson said he was not a prolific scorer.

"I am happy Carlos plays for us because he is a top player," said Mancini.

"He is an ex-Manchester United player so the game was very important for him. To score two goals was excellent.

"I only hope that he plays the same way in the second game. "It is not a big advantage, but it is an advantage," said Mancini.

"I am happy with the result because we were behind after 20 minutes and I felt it could be difficult. But we recovered, scored two goals and played well."

Ferguson stared impassively ahead as Tevez was making his point. But he insisted there was no problem with his former player.

"It is just the way these things happen," he said.

"Football can be like that. It can bite you.

"We have had a few players leave the club and score against us. There is no issue. I am happy with the players we have got."